Rain, rain, and more rain!
That’s the news here. There are breaks in the rain throughout the day, but rain is the theme here in the Hudson Valley.
I ventured outside in the afternoon to water the plants on the porch and check on the gardens. I ended up doing some work in the garden because, at the time, the sun was behind a cloud and I thought it would be okay.
Yikes, it was unbelievably hot and humid! I started cutting back the catmint plants because I’d had that on my mind for a while and I had just finished watching an episode of Gardener’s World where Monty Don was cutting back his catmint. If Monty is doing it, I need to be doing it. I’m glad I did something outside, but I was so drenched with sweat afterwards that I had to take my second shower of the day.
The Far Side Garden (above) is quite lush at the moment.
As is the bed next to the porch – which is full of hostas and coneflowers and sedum.
I thought you’d like to see a picture of Sam, happily resting after chasing his ball.
Love that boy.
This is the pond that is on their property. It’s quite lovely. Eventually, Rick and Doug are going to build a gazebo there. Won’t that be lovely?
Don had a wonderful session with Louis Mendes on Monday. Louis is a true teacher and mentor and Don was very energized and excited when he came back home. They worked together for about 3 hours. Don has learned that when you’re standing next to Louis on any New York street, person after person is going to stop to look at Louis and the camera and ask, “Are you Louis Mendes?” It’s amazing. He’s amazing. He gave Don assignments, as well. Homework!
I’m in the ‘thinking and not even planning yet’ stage of the dollhouse. I have several ideas for the look of the outside and I’ve not settled on one yet. I’m gathering photos and ideas from the internet.
Happy Wednesday.
Loooooooove Sam!!!
He’s such a sweetie!
Well…with all the rain so far…your gardens are looking very lush. I don’t want to say this too loudly…but, it looks like 73 is forecasted for next two days here. I don’t want to jinx anything…but I am beyond thrilled! I know I have a ton of weeds…actually it’s clover, and that stuff that looks like clover…oxalis. But, I may wait til tomorrow, it’s too humid here for me today.
Sam is adorable….who can resist that face? Enjoy your day! ;)
Oh, it’s staying miserable here through Friday! And even then we won’t get down to 73.
Claudia, Your flowers are pretty. I too ,cut some things back. It’s almost way to humid to work. We got enough rain here that Ted did get to mow. Our lawn looks somewhat better. Good for Don getting into a fun activity. Blessings to you and Don, xoxo, Susie
We need to mow, but it’s not going to be dry until the weekend. It’s too humid to mow, anyway!
Sam is a TOTAL dude! That face – I just love it! You can see the HAPPY behind his eyes. Rick & Doug are lucky guys – the three of them make a terrific family. But hey – maybe they might add a female feline – you know, just to be sure the boys are towing the line. LOL. Cats ARE super good at that. Just a notion… Peace to you all.
#Resist
#ProtectMueller
I don’t think they are cat people. Doug has always had dogs. Same here. And I’m allergic to cats, so I hope they don’t even think of getting one!
With all the rain you might find yourself living in a real jungle before too long. I’ve put in minimal weeding in the back garden due to humidity and now it’s getting completely overgrown. The catmint is especially determined to grab as much real estate as it can and I need to get on it Oh, to have a pond – what must that be like? I’ve been drawn to water my entire life (ironic since water technology has been my husband’s thing the last decade) and I’d so love to some day live next to a small lake. As my Aug 3 retirement day looms, I take inspiration from Don and hope to keep right on learning new things.
It’s already looking jungle like in certain areas! I would love to have a pond. I’d especially love to live on a lake.
to kay …
congratulations on your upcoming retirement!
what type of work are you in? and what will you do with all your new “free” time?
best wishes,
kathy in iowa (eight-plus years from retirement)
Hi, kathy and thank you. I’ve worked the last dozen years in the development and alumni outreach office of a law school. Fun and interesting job. I especially liked planning the class reunions each year.
“What will you do?” is what my husband – who will never retire – asked me endlessly at first. I told him I would figure it out. I’ll volunteer, I’m a crafter, and our youngest who is a musician, has already gifted me with a ukelele because I want to take lessons from him so I can join one of those lady uke bands. But my first assignment is to begin looking at contractors for a kitchen remodel. THAT ought to keep me busy for quite a while! :-)
i bet that job was fun. glad you’ve enjoyed it.
best wishes on the kitchen remodel!
learning a new instrument sounds great, too. i am not musically inclined, can’t read music, etc. but, as they say, i can play the radio! ha! :)
i am about seven years away from being able to officially retire (i am a social worker). while i don’t want to wish away time, i do look forward to having longer stretches of time to do what i want! i have many hobbies (writing, painting, reading, knitting, sewing, cross-stitch, walking/jogging …) and don’t anticipate any trouble adjusting to having more time for those things and especially being with my family. and not having to get out when the roads are icy or snow-packed! hope the same for you.
best wishes!
kathy in iowa
I hear you. Not being on the freeway driving downtown in a blizzard is going to be such a relief! I plan to pursue lots of your hobbies too. And I’m hoping our children get busy and eventually provide me with grandchildren to spoil :-)
K.
As Donnamae said, we are to have several days of sun and 70’s coming up. Can’t wait!! Windows open, yay!! It is humid here today. I worked out in the yard this morning, but I sure can’t last long. I have a few major weeding projects I have been putting off that will be able to be completed if the forecast holds true.
Have a grand Wednesday & happy house planning!
I’m jealous. I’ll admit it!
I’m pleased you both have so many distractions that you both can pursue! I need to get into the garden too.
Today is too rainy and humid so I’m tending to my indoor plants.
Sam looks so happy…he seems right at home now and glad to have running room!…I love Rick and Doug ‘s pond…a gazebo would certainly be nice but be careful…I hear there is a monster in that pond!!!…lol
There is! They’re going to be brave and build one anyway!
Good for them…be brave guys…show that monster who’s boss!….lol…A gazebo is another of those wonderful things I’ve always wanted since I was a kid…Please let Claudia share it with all of us!
I’m not sure when it’s going to be built. They have to dredge the pond first.
That dog is a beauty as are your flowers. We had a lot of rain this morning. It has been dry all afternoon.
Marilyn
It’s so wet and damp and humid here, Marilyn!
I was so excited about my garden this spring and a bit earlier this summer, but I am becoming like the garden – burnt out! Weeks and weeks of extremely high temps make the plants look so sad despite all the extra TLC I have given them. Your garden looks so lovely and welcoming. Your hostas look lush and pretty. I have tried to grow them here without any success. The snails devour them like candy. Sam is a sweetheart!!! I am also looking forward to the future gazebo.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
We don’t have snails, so that helps! But we do have deer who love to chomp on Hostas.
Claudia, where can I watch “Gardener’s World”? Is it a brit program?
oh, by the way, my golden, Grace, has a green ball like Sam’s and it’s her favorite!(minus the squeaker)
It’s on a service called BritBox, which you subscribe to. To me, it’s worth it, if only to have Gardener’s World. There are lots of other British shows available for viewing. You pay for it monthly.
I love that Don has homework; it’s serious business. Has structure; will make all Don’s time at it very worthwhile. He’s clearly dealing with someone who’s a professional. My husband’s really into photography and I’ve shared all your posts with him about Don and the camera; your cameras, too. I guess there are some other street photogs out there (I know you’d mentioned another, too), or so he’s telling me, but he definitely knew about Mr. Mendes. You photog-enthusiasts know these things…
Rain; I’ve forgotten what it is…
Your friends’ home sounds so nice; I hope they’ll stay. The dog is one handsome boy. It’s a good development for you and Don to have close, long-time friends now in the vicinity. Fun!
At least it’s down to 92F on the thermometer as we approach dinner hour/6pm-ish; could be worse. But I’m so over the heat. We’ll be running around in it in the next couple of days because my husband has gotten a bad toothache out of nowhere and the dentist can’t figure out what’s wrong, so it’s off to a specialist in another city…in, ahhh lovely, 100+ temps (hear my sarcasm) but then I think, how great to have help, that my husband can get the time off, that we have dental insurance; count the blessings. He was in a lot of agony last night. We went to the beach again as the moon rose and the sun set; tried to get his mind off of the pain. I can only describe the sea spilling against sand at high tide as pale blue lace over gold lame like exquisite fabric of a beautiful designer dress. They’d projected 5-7ft waves and we’re pretty sure we saw a couple of 6-ft ones; hard to believe but a couple was SWIMMING in that churning ocean; not a great idea with the rip but, you know, romantic frolic in the moonlight and balmy air, city lights a thousand miles in the distance, twinkling like diamonds…
There are a lot of street photographers out there. In every city.
Of course my friends are going to stay! This is their retirement home. I suppose, though, like most of us at this age, if it gets to be too much, they’ll downsize. But that’s far from their thoughts at the moment.
I hope your husband feels better, Vicki. Tooth pain is no fun.
Yeah, he’s a mess. Got more xrays this morning. He’s ready to just pull the thing. The big consultation is tomorrow (the wheels turn fast but not THAT fast) so he’s succumbed to pain medication, poor guy. He’s gotta be able to work; he still has a full-time job.
I didn’t realize it was your friends’ retirement home. That’s wonderful. And you helped them pick it out!
Other than the close of Escape to Margaritaville, it just sounds like you and Don are in a good place, like in most aspects of your life. You have good balance.
I hope Don’s legs are feeling better now that he’s had more rest off the stage. And that you’ve got some allergy relief by not being out in the yard for a few days.
The camera stuff is perfect for individual expression but also for joint activity. I always feel like you two really have your ducks in a row. And what’s really inspiring is that you’re both very active at your age, which is important for mental and physical health as we age.
I was watching a fave movie I’d recorded off TCM called “Walk, Don’t Run” with Cary Grant. It was his last film. He never made another movie. He had a new baby and wanted to devote the rest of his years to raising his kid. I think he was age 62. Anyway, in this flick, he’s quite agile and there’s even a scene where he sprints over some kind of hurdle. I couldn’t have done that at age 62! I’d read he had early training in acrobatics/dancing of some sort; he just seemed to walk with such ease even when an older man. Keeping the body moving is so vitally important. Exercise!
Don’t let that rain get you down; you’ll be back out there before you know it!
Don’s legs are feeling better. He has a chance to rest them. Conversely, he misses pushing himself physically.
Yes, Cary Grant was an acrobat when he was young. He really was one-of-a-kind!
glad you and don have many interests and projects (i don’t mean chores) … and are having fun with them.
also that you two can spend time with good friends like rick and doug and sam, too. that pond is lovely … as are your gardens.
hope the high heat and humidity give us all a break!
kathy in iowa
ps: love that you name your garden areas!
I tend to name everything! The groundhogs, the gardens, the doves…